Rafael Nadal has defeated Dominic Thiem in straight sets at Roland Garros to win a record 11th French Open title. The King of Clay work hard for another victory in the French capital to the delight of those in attendance. He required a little over two and a half hours to get himself over the line, earning a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 triumph to lift the trophy for the second year in a row.

At 2-1 in the fourth set, Rafa stopped serving during a game because he couldn’t straighten his left middle finger. At the following changeover, Rafa was given a salt pill by a doctor and had his left forearm massaged by a trainer. But Rafa’s form never wavered, and soon enough he was celebrating his 17th Grand Slam title overall, second among men only to Roger Federer’s 20.

After the match, Rafa said:

It was the best match tournament of me. It was important because Dominic is a very aggressive player. I had a tough moment in the third set when I got cramp in my hand. I was very scared. But that is sport. It is very humid and I was against a tough player who pushes you to the end.

Rafa has a whopping 86-2 record at the French Open after Sunday’s victory. The victory also allowed our champ to hold onto the No. 1 ranking.

Man, did you guys see how much sweat was coming down Rafa’s face when he was serving?!? Even after wiping down with a towel, sweat was coming down like someone poured water on his head. It was ridiculously humid. That’s why his hand cramped up. So glad he was able to collect himself and win without a hitch.

Additionally, He was moving pretty fast between points and was clocked at 33 seconds once on tv. That 25 second rule is ridiculous. Thiem was going over that and he was moving fast too. That rule was clearly put in to help Roger because nobody plays that fast except him. In the end all I have to say to those idiots who put in that rule and now want a shot clock is …. VAMOS! Rafa won anyways lol!!! You can’t penalize him enough to stop him from kicking ass lol!!!! VAMOS!!!!

Congratulations to Rafa! And congratulations to Thiem who played valiantly.

I was surprised to hear Mats Wilander slam that time violation. He said something about appreciating watching a great champion work out his strategy. It was the wrong time, they had just played a really tough point and, as you say, the heat and humidity were high as Rafa mentioned to the umpire on changeover.

There was a 46 second clock on the bottom of my screen when Mary Carillo (annoying) kept harboring on his going over the 25 seconds rule. I liked John McEnroe’s response to Carillo, [paraphrasing] It’s complicated, because there are other factors that play in…..the noises that court spectators make, etc… she didn’t speak about it again after that….lol.

If players are annoyed by how long their opponent is taking between serves, they can always take their time in between serves as well, or they can complain about it to the chair umpire. It’s up to the chair umpire to enforce the rule. The strange thing is that I remember commentators saying that the clock starts AFTER the chair umpire ANNOUNCES THE POINT, NOT after the shot of the player.

Congratulations rafa super and unbreakable achievement, i mean winning 1 gs is 11 times harder and u here u won this super impossible title 11 time ….hard to think…. stay healthy rest well …it just so exciting to watch you playing…….want to see u in Wimbledon…vamos rafa…!!! You r simply the best…

Absolutely stunning performance by Rafa today. Very rarely he is this sharp from the start. Be not mistaken, Thiem played very high level tennis and would have beaten anyone today. Anyone, except the GOAT Rafa Nadal. 17 majors in 52 events. That’s one less than RF needed back in 2012 to get to his 17th, a number no one would ever equal, according to all main stream journalists. They are getting nervous again, them Fed trolls: ’11 out of the 17 are on claaaaaay’. That’s right. And Roger won 11 on hard courts. 11 on clay is way tougher. Only once per year possible to win one.
I feel this 17th today may be the biggest step yet towards closing that gap and that debate. Vamos Rafa!!! What a legend!!!

Rafa what a brilliant match. Loved each minute. You are a Superstar my King of tennis. I am still on a high from your performance today.
Congratulations Champ. Go and have a relaxed Siesta you are very deserving of same.
Adios amigo from your number 1 fan in Ireland..💕🎾🇮🇪🎾